All Blacks boss Hansen wary of blooming Red Rose side June 5, 2014 ENGLAND go into tomorrow’s first Test in New Zealand as the most improved team in world rugby of the last 18 months, according to All Blacks coach Steve Hansen. The hosts are as short as 1-16 with some bookmakers Down Under for the clash with Stuart Lancaster’s Six Nations runners-up at Eden Park, but Hansen [...]
6 June on this day… June 5, 2014 1986: ENGLAND’S World Cup was in tatters after a 0-0 draw with Morocco in Mexico, which saw skipper Bryan Robson (above) dislocate a shoulder and Ray Wilkins sent off. Gary Lineker’s hat-trick against Poland five days later revived fortunes, before England lost in the last eight to Maradona’s Hand of God goal. Picture: COLORSPORT
Sharapova set for French final June 5, 2014 FORMER world No1 Maria Sharapova feels fortunate to be in tomorrow’s French Open final, after battling from a set down to beat Canadian prodigy Eugenie Bouchard. The 2012 champion won 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 and will meet fourth seed Simona Halep, who saw off Andrea Petkovic in straight sets. Sharapova said: “I felt my opponent played [...]
Rooney rubbishes Scholes’ claims June 5, 2014 FOOTBALL: England striker Wayne Rooney has shrugged off criticism from former Manchester United team-mate Paul Scholes, who has questioned his place in the team ahead of the World Cup. Rooney said: “I’m not interested. I’m not going to react. I’m interested in what Roy Hodgson and the people around me say.”
Alonso eyes Ferrari improvement June 5, 2014 FORMULA ONE: Double world champion Fernando Alonso believes Ferrari can close the gap on runaway leaders Mercedes at this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix. Alonso said: “We’ve performed well the last four years here. I expect to have good points at the end of the race.”
Liverpool agree £10m deal for Can June 5, 2014 FOOTBALL: Premier League runners-up Liverpool have agreed a deal to sign Bayer Leverkusen central midfielder Emre Can. The 20-year-old, who joined Leverkusen from Bayern Munich last summer, has a £10m release clause. The move has been agreed in principle and is set to go through when the transfer window re-opens next month.
Ill Hazel to miss Glasgow Games June 5, 2014 ATHLETICS: England heptathlete Louise Hazel will not defend her Commonwealth title in Glasgow this summer after illness disrupted her training plan. She said: “I was always going to be up against it time-wise and the race to get fit just proved to be a little bit too close.”
Tarfasha primed to lead home Sheikh Hamdan Investec Oaks one-two June 5, 2014 BILL ESDAILE PREVIEWS TODAY’S INVESTEC OAKS THE JOB of clerk of the course can be difficult at the best of times, but Andrew Cooper, the man in charge of producing the best possible surface for this weekend’s Investec Derby Festival, must have been tearing out the few hairs he has left over the past fortnight. [...]
Thistle Bird and Gregorian set for more Epsom glory June 5, 2014 BILL ESDAILE PREVIEWS TODAY’S OTHER RACES AND LOOKS AHEAD TO TOMORROW’S INVESTEC DERBY MUCH talk in the lead-up to the Investec Derby Festival is about the uniqueness of Epsom and it’s not a point to be underestimated. Some horses handle it and some don’t. Today’s action looks tricky so perhaps it’s best to focus primarily [...]
Investec Derby Preview June 5, 2014 THE 235th running of the Investec Derby at Epsom is a puzzle that I am struggling to solve at the time of writing. Alarming weather predictions mean none of us really know what state the ground will be in come 4.00pm tomorrow. We do know that short-priced favourite Australia does not want it soft according [...]